Teacher charged in sex assault on student, 14

Richard Rack booking photo COURTESY OF THE ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

NEWPORT BEACH – A San Clemente middle school math teacher previously charged with lewd conduct against two students was charged Monday with sexually assaulting an eighth-grade female student while alone with her on campus, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Richard John Rack, 50, of San Clemente faces five felony counts of lewd acts on a child and one of oral copulation of a minor under 16 in connection with the accusations of sex crimes against the third student. If convicted of all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of six years and four months in state prison.

Rack is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing July 18 at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.

The defendant was charged June 1 with two misdemeanor counts of child annoyance in connection with claims by two other girls, both 13, at Shorecliffs Middle School, where he was a teacher since 2002, prosecutors said in a news release. If convicted on those counts, he faces two years in jail.

Rack was placed on administrative leave in December 2011.

Between April and November 2011, Rack is accused of hugging and making lewd comments to the two 13-year-olds. One of the girls told the school principal about the conduct and the Orange County Sheriff's Department investigated the case, the District Attorney's Office said in the release. Rack was arrested June 6.

Following his arrest, sheriff's officials discovered the sexual assault against the third pupil, the release said.

Between February 2009 and October 2010, Rack is accused of sexually assaulting the 14-year-old, including lewd touching and oral copulation.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Supervising District Attorney Investigator Lou Gutierrez at 714-347-8794.

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